Lincoln fireworks tent closes after teenagers steal products, assault worker

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Extreme Crazy Cracker closed its fireworks tent Thursday after a group of teenagers came into the stand, stole fireworks and assaulted a worker.

The owner, Douglas, said a group of 10 to 12 teenage boys came to the tent outside of SouthPointe Christian Church around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

The teens threw a box at the clerk, injuring their face, before running out with several boxes of fireworks.

“It’s just sad to see that happen in a town that should still have that small-town feel to it,” Douglas said.

Douglas was forced to close the tent for the July Fourth holiday.

He hopes that his other two stores will bring enough profits so he can pay the bills for the SouthPointe location.

“Kids are kids,” Douglas said. “I don’t mind them having fun, but when it comes to becoming destructive and being to where you actually ended up hurting somebody, that’s way beyond what’s allowed and what should be put up with.”

Volunteers at a Wild Willy’s said people have stolen fireworks from the store in previous years but said they feel safe because of their overnight staff.

“It does help we have people here overnight,” said Arlene, a Wild Willy’s volunteer. “It makes us feel good knowing that it’s secure and somebody’s here.”

Someone also cut the lock on their trailer and stole fireworks a couple years ago.

“It’s just a sad thing we have to worry about that even being a possibility,” volunteer Emily Bond said.

The Lincoln Police Department said that there are no suspects and that the investigation is still ongoing.